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Topic Review (Newest First)

12-15-2012 09:17 AM

joe_padavano

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedbump

I have never heard anyone say serpentine belts are less efficient, in fact, just the opposite although the difference either way is probably negligible.

Go back and re-read my post. TRUE serpentine belt drives, like the factory installs, do, in fact, have less drag and use less HP. The factory serpentine drives typically use a reverse rotation water pump and LOTS of belt engagement on the pulleys to get the same drive force with less tension in the belt.

Aftermarket conversions for engines like the Pontiac that don't have reverse rotation pumps available rely instead on three or four idler pulleys to force the belt against the water pump pulley (and the other accessory pulleys). The sole purpose of these idlers is to increase the force on the belt, making up for the fact that there is only a limited amount of engagement available between the belt and the water pump pulley. This extra force must be reacted somehow, and that reaction takes the form of added friction and thus more HP required to turn the accessory drive. Is it a large number? No, of course not, but the whole point is that you are spending somewhere well north of $1,000 for a pseudo-serpentine drive that provides exactly NO performance improvement but increases complexity (due to the additional idlers).

Again, factory-style serpentine is fine. Aftermarket "pseudo-serpentine" is a waste of money.

12-14-2012 10:16 AM

speedbump

I have never heard anyone say serpentine belts are less efficient, in fact, just the opposite although the difference either way is probably negligible. If you want the longer life and dependability of a serpentine belt, you can buy the pulleys for each drive/driven part and have it work and rotate the same as the V system did. You'll probably never get your money back from the longer life of the serpentine because you usually have to buy high dollar ones from March or other manufacturer, but money is almost never the reason we modify our cars.

12-14-2012 10:04 AM

oldbogie

Quote:

Originally Posted by techinspector1

I would have rather spent the money on hair plugs.

X2 on the hair plugs! This is a lot of cost for no techical gain, just eye candy.

Bogie

12-13-2012 11:26 PM

joe_padavano

There are no reverse rotation water pumps for Pontiac motors. The only available "serpentine" kits use a boatload of idler pulleys to put sufficient tension on the belt. Basically you're paying a TON of money for a pseudo-serpentine belt drive that has MORE friction (and thus HP loss) than the stock V-belts.

Your money, your choice.

12-13-2012 07:46 PM

billonwheels

lol! Thanks I needed that Laugh tonight!

12-13-2012 07:34 PM

techinspector1

Quote:

Originally Posted by billonwheels

I went with the billet pullies with an electric fan. So far so good. Looks really good.

I would have rather spent the money on hair plugs.

12-13-2012 07:17 PM

billonwheels

I went with the billet pullies with an electric fan. So far so good. Looks really good.

03-18-2012 08:18 AM

eloc431962

Quote:

Originally Posted by billonwheels

Man I'm thinking about doing a Serpentine conversion on my Pontiac Grand Prix. Any down sides to doing this? and what type of Electric fan do you all recommend?

Nothing wrong with a serpitine set-up but i would stay with a good mechanical fan with a fan shroud if i was you . JMO

Cole

03-18-2012 08:13 AM

billonwheels

Serpentine conversion

Man I'm thinking about doing a Serpentine conversion on my Pontiac Grand Prix. Any down sides to doing this? and what type of Electric fan do you all recommend?